New sponsorship scheme is an all-round success

Warwickshire’s roundabouts are looking even better thanks to a new trial of a sponsorship scheme being run at eight sites around the county by the county council in partnership with sponsorship specialists Immediate Solutions.

The initiative is delivering business sponsorship at key locations around the county. Immediate Solutions administers and manages all aspects of the initiative, from implementation to delivery, and the council benefits from revenue generated from sponsors, which is used directly to improve council services.

A number of roundabouts in Warwickshire can be sponsored for varying periods of time, giving sponsor organisations flexibility in their advertising.

Councillor Peter Butlin, portfolio holder for Transport and Highways, said: “I’m delighted that the Immediate Solutions scheme is proving so good. It is really contributing to both the success of local businesses as well as to the council’s ability to deliver services.

“We have already heard from local companies that they are finding the scheme fantastic for their local exposure as it’s helping them promote themselves to road users, whether they are residents, visitors, tourists or commuters, on a daily basis. Meanwhile the council is generating a good income without using additional resources.”

Councillor Phillip Johnson, Chair of the Council’s Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, added: “All councils are increasingly looking for ways to improve their financial position, and permitting sponsorship has allowed us to generate a good level of revenue from roundabouts which are resources we already have and that required no further development to capitalise upon.”

The owners of Grimstock Hotel, in Coleshill, who are currently sponsoring a roundabout on the A446, are delighted with the impact.

“We think the signs look great and we’ve certainly benefited from the additional publicity,” said manager Hilary Prince. “The scheme has permitted us and other businesses to promote ourselves in a unique way. We think it is a great opportunity across the county and the service we have received from Immediate Solutions has been excellent. ”

Their view is shared by Sue and Barry Wallace, who run Gascoignes Funeral Directors in Coleshill. “The scheme raises our profile and is a great way to help improve the look of Warwickshire’s roundabouts,” said Sue. "We think that many businesses could find that it works for them too.”

Oliver Moor, Client Relations Manager at Immediate Solutions, said: “The Warwickshire scheme is proving highly effective. It is helping the council achieve its ambitions to improve their highways, and businesses are finding it an excellent way of promoting themselves to road users on a daily basis.”

The scheme is being managed at the council by Warwickshire County Highways.

You can find more transport and highways in Warwickshire on the Warwickshire Web: http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel